Stealing meat - petty sessions

Hertfordshire Mercury, 3rd November 1906

Transcript

Leonard Cranwell, a labourer, of no fixed abode, was brought up on remand charged with stealing a quantity of meat at Welwyn on October 23rd.

Prisoner pleaded guilty, and elected to have the case settled at once. Annie Pedder, a servant, employed at The Vineyard by Mrs H. E. de Rougemont, stated that at ten minutes past three on the afternoon named she had gone upstairs, and the back door was left half-way open. She heard the bell ring, and shortly afterwards it rang again. She heard the door latch click, and heard some shuffling of feet about. She went downstairs and looked round and from the larder missed a piece of mutton and a piece of bacon. Witness went to the door and saw Mardell, who is employed by her master, and told him what had occurred and asked him to go after the man. The meat was valued at five shillings.

William Mardell, groom and gardener employed by Mr de Rougemont, stated that shortly after three o’clock as he was coming back from his dinner he met the prisoner. He afterwards saw the last witness, and in consequence of what she said to him he went after the man. He saw him put the meat in a hedge a short distance from the house. When he got to him witness said “You silly fellow, what have you taken that meat for?” and he replied “I was hungry”.

P. C. Gray stated that the meat was found in the hedge about two hundred yards away from The Vineyard. Witness took prisoner into custody but he was very violent and witness had to get assistance to take him to the police station. Prisoner said he was very sorry for what he had done, but he could not get any work and was very hungry. He belonged to Essex, but had lately been living at Essendon.

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